Epazote Herb Profile
Also known as
Chenopodium ambrosioides, Jesuits Tea, Pigweed, Mexican Tea, Wormseed
Introduction
Epazote is a perennial green herb that grows to about three feet. It is native of Southern Mexico, Central and South America. It has been known as an invasive weed, but is more commonly used as a medicinal herb or spice for traditional Mexican dishes. Epazote has a quite a pungent taste, and its fragrance is quite strong, but difficult to describe. The smell has been compared to a great diversity of scents, which range from citrus to gasoline, and mint to a vague perfume like smell. The Aztecs had a long history of using the herb as a culinary additive, but the word that they used for it translated as “smelly animal”. It is most commonly added to black beans for flavor and to help avoid the gastric discomfort that sometimes occurs after eating beans.
Parts Used
The whole leaf or stem.
Typical Preparations
Added to any dish as a spice, or used as a tea.
Summary
The Aztecs used Epazote both as a spice as well as medicinally. It is said to prevent flatulence caused by eating beans, but also in the treatment of amenorrhea, dysmenorrheal, malaria, hysteria, and asthma. Oil of Chenopodium is derived from Epazote. The oil is an antihelminthic that is known to kill intestinal worms. The nickname wormseed is derived from this application because it is said to prevent worms in animals. A great many sources say that it is poisonous in large quantities, but no one can quite define what amount "large" constitutes. Epazote is also known to have insecticidal properties.
Precautions
None known
